The 23rd WLU Summer Institute is intended to focus on the extremely political act of reclaiming classrooms and other settings for learning as places of joyful engagement, and complex relationships. Join us in reclaiming our joys and celebrating them in the wonderfully supportive forum that gathers each year under the whole language umbrella.
Isoke Titilayo Nia
Isoke Titilayo Nia taught many years in New York City’s independent and public schools before becoming the Director of Research and Development for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Currently she is the founding director of All Write Literacy Consultants in Brooklyn, New York. Isoke is known for her dynamic keynote speeches and engaging workshops. She presents on poetry, reading and the African American child, and literature in the writing workshop.
Join Isoke on Thursday evening, July 19 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
R. Joseph Rodriguez
R. Joseph Rodriguez is a research associate in the Center for Teaching and Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. He also teaches literature and language acquisition courses and has taught English and Spanish language arts at various levels in public and charter schools and at the university level. Since 2009, he has served on the English language arts–reading content coordinating team (2009-2011) for the 2012 Series GED Tests, American Council of Education.
Joseph is a 2002-2004 cohort of the NCTE Research Foundation’s Cultivating New Voices among Scholars of Color (CNV) program and currently on the NCTE EC.
Some of Joseph's work has appeared in English Journal (2011), Leadership Quarterly (2008), College Culture, Student Success: A Longman Topics Reader (2008), Council Chronicle (2007), Institute for Recruitment of Teachers Magazine (2005), and Guide to College Reading (2003).
I am committed to the work of NCTE members and leaders. As a result, I am active as a member of the NCTE Task Force on Council History (2009-2012) and NCTE Connected Community, an online communication service for members.
Join Joseph on Friday morning, July 20 from 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes does not consider herself a bona fide storyteller, but, as she told an audience at the Library of Congress, she is happy to own the title Poet. Born and raised in New York City, Nikki began composing verse at the age of six and has been writing ever since.
A New York Times bestselling author, Nikki is the recipient of the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include ALA Notable book What is Goodbye?, Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade, the novels Jazmin's Notebook, Dark Sons, and The Road to Paris (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books). Creator of the popular Meet Danitra Brown, Nikki lives in Corona, California.
Visit Nikki's website at http://www.nikkigrimes.com/.
Join Nikki on Saturday morning, July 21 from 8:30-9:45 a.m.